Cuban Vice President Salvador Valdes Mesa is expected to arrive in Zimbabwe for a three-day official visit, during which he is expected to meet President Mnangagwa.
He will replace President Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez, who was scheduled to visit the country after attending the G77+China summit in Kampala, Uganda.
Speaking after paying a courtesy call on Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Ambassador Frederic Chava yesterday, the Cuban Chargé d’Affairs, Ambassador Yenelis Vilma Regueveros Linares, said Vice President Mesa will also visit Tanzania from Zimbabwe.
“We are preparing for the arrival of the Vice President of the Republic of Cuba who arrives in Zimbabwe (today) after participating in the G77 + China and Non-Aligned Movement summits in Uganda. After that, he will visit Tanzania.”
Ambassador Linares said that the meeting with Ambassador Chava also focused on how to modernize and strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.
They also discussed the ties between Zimbabwe and Cuba as well as diplomatic relations that span decades.
“It was very enjoyable and I thanked the Minister for receiving us and for all the support Zimbabwe has given us throughout these years when we have been suffering from the economic blockade.
“For us, it is very important to thank Zimbabwe,” Ambassador Linares said.
She highlighted cooperation between Zimbabwe and Cuba in the health and education sectors, which she said was bearing fruit.
“We have 16 Cuban members in the Zimbabwe Medical Corps. They work not only in Harare, but also in other provinces of the country. We have four lecturers at Bindura University (for science education).
“But everything that can be done to enhance cooperation and increase the number of medical personnel in Zimbabwe can be done, is possible, and will be an environment that helps both countries.”
Ambassador Chava expressed his gratitude that President Díaz-Canel assigned Vice President Valdés to pay an official visit to Zimbabwe from today until January 27.
“I am overjoyed that the relations between the two brotherly countries are excellent. Zimbabwe holds you in high esteem for your revolutionary and principled leadership, and cherishes the strong bonds of friendship forged during the struggle to liberate Zimbabwe and which continue to this day.
“I am pleased that since the 1980s, Cuba has made a significant contribution to the development of the education and health sectors in Zimbabwe, and continues to have a significant footprint on human resources and skills development in these sectors in a way that no other country has done.
“Thousands of teachers have been trained and are still receiving training in science by Cuban professors at Bindura University of Science Education,” he said.
Ambassador Chava also commended the deployment of Cuban Medical Brigades across Zimbabwe as they were helping to fill the skills shortage in the health sector, as well as imparting their specialized knowledge and great work ethics to health workers in Zimbabwe.
He said that despite the challenges it faced with the programme, Zimbabwe was keen to receive more support from Cuba.
“I am also pleased that commendable progress has been made towards the establishment of three joint pharmaceutical factories in Zimbabwe to manufacture vaccines and medical devices.
“I am confident that you fully agree with me on the need to expand cooperation to other areas, including trade and investment for the mutual benefit of our two countries and peoples,” he added.
He congratulated Cuba on its sixth re-election to the UN Human Rights Council in October 2023, and expressed confidence that Cuba would be impartial and subjective in seeking a broader multilateralism in which the voices of poor countries are heard.
“May I also inform you that Zimbabwe is seeking a seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2027-2028 session and is requesting Cuba’s assistance in canvassing for votes,” he said. Announce
